A Novel Multi-Channel MAC Protocol Based on Adaptive Backoff for Airborne Networks

In order to provide the high reliability, low Iatency and the optimal system throughput performances of transmission traffic from multiple aircrafts when performing intelligence reconnaissance, situation awareness and other missions for airborne networks, we propose a novel multi-channel media access control protocol based on adaptive backoff in this paper. The protocol adopts an adaptive backoff algorithm to adjust jitter window according to channel loads in real time, an optimal channel access mechanism to achieve the optimal system throughput and a multi-channel mechanism to reduce the packet mean delay. By establishing a queuing model and a two-dimensional Markov chain model for backoff process, the probability of packets allowed to access channels and access threshold can be obtained. We also solve the mathematical expressions of successful transmission rate, mean delay and system throughput, and verify the correctness of the derivations through simulations. Simulation results show that the protocol can meet the performance requirements of high reliability and large system throughput for airborne networks.